Schnitzer celebrates Pau podiums

18 May 2009

BMW Team Germany was able to celebrate a hat-trick of podium finishes from the opening European rounds of the World Touring Car Championship after Augusto Farfus and Jorg Muller both impressed on the streets of Pau.

Farfus, regarded as something of a Pau expert thanks to his strong results at the challenging French venue, held the lead early on in race one before running wide on oil, which allowed Rob Huff thought into the lead.

Despite Farfus' best efforts, the Brazilian was unable to find a way through and he then found himself in a similar position in race two, where he was stuck to the rear of Alain Menu's car but again had to settle for second.

“In the first race I got on some oil in turn three, which made me lose momentum,” he said, “so Rob Huff was able to pass me. Afterwards I waited for him to make a mistake. But that never came.

“It was exactly the same in race two, this time behind Alain Menu. I'm happy for the team. Again we leave Pau with a lot of points in the bag.”

Team-mate Muller secured a double podium for the team in the opening race after taking the flag in third place, but his hopes of adding to that tally came to an early end in race two after contact with Andy Priaulx forced him to pit for repairs.

WhWhile the suspension of the race for a lengthy period allowed him to rejoin, he was already off the lead lap and came home well down the field.

“It was great to be back on the podium!” he said. “At this circuit it's just impossible to overtake, unless the driver in front of you makes a mistake. Augusto didn't do me this favour in race one. It's a pity I didn't have the chance to add some points to my tally following the early accident in race two.”